Russell, Blankenbush Differ Widely On Gun Law

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Two members of the state Assembly, two difference parties and two completely different takes on the same law.

North country Assemblywoman Addie Russell voted in favor of the gun-control measure signed into law Tuesday by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush voted no.

Both Assembly members were interviewed live by phone Wednesday on 7 News This Morning.

Russell told 7 News the law isn't perfect, but she voted for it anyway.

"No piece of legislation is ever going to be perfect," she said.

"Likely, we'll have to look at clarifying some other issues and frankly, I expect the same folks that have been calling in to counsel me on their thoughts on the legislation will also be calling me to say 'you know, I think you need to look at this part of the bill, as well.'"

"I've already indicated to the leadership in the Assembly that likely we'll need to make some changes," she said.

Blankenbush says the legislation was rushed through the process and mistakes were made.

He points out that under this law, if a police officer has a clip with more than seven bullets in it, that officer will be breaking the law because it doesn't exclude police officers.

"He certainly will be breaking the law, because there was no exemptions in there for a police officer," Blankenbush said.

"My point is that this bill was passed through so fast, that mistakes have been made like this," he said.

Blankenbush says he thinks the Legislature will spend a lot of time going back and fixing some of the mistakes.